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The Netherlands Working

As with volunteering, work opportunities tend to fall into two categories. Some travelers want long-term jobs that allow them to integrate into a community, while others seek out short-term jobs to finance the next leg of their travels. In Amsterdam, those interested in long-term work are best off seeking employment in larger organizations or through internship programs that are willing to handle the red tape of work permits. Short-term work in Amsterdam largely feeds off the tourism industry. As always, it is important to keep your eyes and ears open for posts available via word of mouth. Bulletin boards and newspapers are also invaluable resources. Be sure to check out postings at the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (Amsterdam Public Library), Prinsengracht 587, just north of Leidsegracht, the City Hall Information Center, Amstel 1, in Waterlooplein, and the University of Amsterdam. Note that working abroad often requires a special work visa; see the box below for information about obtaining one.

  • Visa Information. First, the good news: if you’re an EU/EEA citizen (save Bulgarians and Romanians), you need neither a visa nor a residence permit to work in the Netherlands (although they do make things run more smoothly). Other foreign nationals are required to have a work visa. Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand citizens ages 18-30 can apply to take part in the Working Holiday Scheme, which allows them to work in the Netherlands for 1 year. For US college students, recent graduates, and young adults, the simplest way to get legal permission to work in the Netherlands is through Council Exchanges Work Abroad Programs (www.ciee.org). Council Exchanges can help obtain a 3- to 6-month work permit/visa and also provide assistance finding jobs and housing. For stays over 3 months, a residence permit is also required for foreigners—except citizens of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. Apply several months in advance at your local Dutch embassy or consulate or with the Aliens Police Office in the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Justice’s Immigration and Naturalization Service runs a helpful website at www.immigratiedienst.nl, which is a good place to turn if you’re stuck or things change.

  • Long-Term Work
  • If you’re planning on spending a substantial amount of time (more than three months) working in the Netherlands, search for a job well in advance. International placement agencies are often the easiest ...more

  • Short-Term Work
  • Traveling for long periods of time can be hard on the finances; therefore, many travelers try their hand at odd jobs for a few weeks at a time to help pay for another month or two of touring around. ...more



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